Jharkhand minister Jagarnath Mahto dies at Chennai hospital

Jharkhand education minister Jagarnath Mahto passed away on Thursday morning. Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren announced his passing away on Twitter.

"irreparable damage! Our Tiger Jagarnath Da is no more! Today Jharkhand has lost one of its great agitators, combative, hardworking and popular leader. Respected Jagarnath Mahato ji passed away during treatment in Chennai. May God give peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this difficult hour of grief," he tweeted.



He was a veteran JMM MLA from Dumri constituency and was actively involved in separate statehood movement. This movement was led by Shibhu Soren.

He underwent a lung transplant after he contracted Covid in 2020. He fell ill once again during the recent Jharkhand budget session and was airlifted to Chennai where he breathed his last.

"Mahto breathed his last today," Dr Apar Jindal of MGM Healthcare told PTI.

The Jharkhand government declared mourning for two days from April 6 in honour of Mahto, during which no official ceremony would be held.

According to a state government notification, the cabinet meeting scheduled this evening was cancelled.

Taking to Twitter, former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Babulal Marandi said, "The departure of Jagarnath Ji, who fought like a warrior while defeating the disease for a long time, is very sad. Personally, I had always admired his vitality despite political differences."

Mahto was admitted to a Ranchi hospital where he was on ventilator support after he tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2020.